Final answer:
Domoic acid poisoning symptoms include neurological issues like memory loss and confusion after consuming seafood contaminated with toxins from harmful algal blooms. Monitoring and harvesting bans help prevent exposure to these toxins.
Step-by-step explanation:
Domoic acid is a neurotoxin produced by certain types of algae found in shellfish, and its ingestion via contaminated seafood can lead to a variety of symptoms in humans. Signs of domoic acid poisoning, also related to seafood toxins, primarily manifest as neurological problems, such as memory loss, confusion, nausea, and dizziness. Neurological symptoms are particularly concerning as they may indicate serious underlying damage to the brain and nervous system.
These toxins enter shellfish during harmful algal blooms like red tides, which are often caused by dense populations of dinoflagellates under certain weather and water conditions. As a preventative measure, agencies such as the Division of Marine Fisheries may monitor toxin levels in shellfish and ban harvesting if those levels are deemed unsafe. Consuming seafood tainted with domoic acid can lead to severe health issues, which not only impact individual health but also carry significant economic consequences for local fisheries due to necessary bans on shellfish harvesting.